In 2009 Cyprus remained a divided island, though the open, if controlled, border allowed significant movement of people crossing in both directions, whether to work, shop, or attend school or for tourist or entertainment purposes. The two Cypriot presidents met during the year under the aegis of the UN to discuss a range of issues that included power sharing and governance, land tenure arrangements, security, and the future of the Turkish force in Northern Cyprus. The first round of meetings ended in August; a second round of talks scheduled for September was postponed for several days following a border-crossing incident in which hundreds of Greek Cypriots on a religious pilgrimage were reportedly delayed by Turkish Cypriot authorities. Although talks between the two leaders resumed, both expressed disappointment that their meetings had not produced more concrete results.

While the presidents dealt with the island’s political future, opinion polls on both sides of the dividing line showed Cypriots more concerned with economic matters than politics. The economy presented a mixed picture. Greek Cyprus had a slight increase in GDP, while all other EU members showed decreases. Turkish Cyprus experienced a drop in tourism, most notably a decline in the numbers of visitors from Turkey. Turkish Cyprus’s five universities also experienced lower enrollment from Turkey. Other economic problems in Turkish Cyprus were the large number of houses for sale—approximately 10,000—and a negative trade balance with Greek Cyprus. These problems were somewhat offset by subsidies from Turkey. To assuage the island’s chronic water shortage, Turkish Cyprus planned to construct a pipeline from Turkey, while Greek Cyprus planned to build a desalination plant; both projects were expected to go on line in the following several years.

9,251 sq km (3,572 sq mi) for the entire island; the area of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), proclaimed unilaterally (1983) in the occupied northern third of the island, 3,355 sq km (1,295 sq mi)